WHY HAVE YOUR CHIMNEY SWEPT?         PREVENTION OF CHIMNEY FIRES:   Chimney fires occur when deposits of carbon and dust accumulate in a chimney and are set alight by sparks or flames from a fire. All solid fuels create some kind of soot which without regular cleaning of chimneys builds up in the flue and eventualy catches fire. Always ensure that wood is seasoned properly before burning, and always burn hardwood. This should reduce the amounts of tarry deposits which wood produces when burnt. Regular cleaning is THE ONLY way to avoid a chimney fire. The National Safety Council recommend that chimneys are cleaned nce a year at the very least. Chimney fires can do huge amount of damage to your chimney, and should be avoided at any cost. The chimney fire can of course spread in to your house or adjoining properties if not dealt with soon enough. If you do have a chimney fire, phone the fire brigade immediately and make sure your spark guard is firmly placed in front of the fireplace. If you've had a chimney fire, it's imperative that you have the chimney cleaned and checked before you even consider using it again. Almost half of the fires the fire brigade extinguish are chimney fires. As a result of this, some local authourities have instituted charges to attend these fires.    VERMIN NESTS:   Some birds and squirrels can and do nest in chimneys. It's very important that if you suspect there are any nests in the chimney you have it cleaned before use. The nests block the flue and cause lethal gases to build up in your chimney and spill back in to your home. The nests can also ignite and cause a chimney fire. Bird guards shuld be fitted to working fires, and blanking off cowls to disused chimneys.   INSTALLATION OF NEW APPLIANCES:   Before you do anything else, it's imperative that you have the chimney cleaned and inspected. This is to ensure that the chimney is sound (no smoke leaking in to other rooms/flues/next door), the pots and terminals on top of the chimney are correct, the ventilation in the room is adequate, the condition of the stack is acceptable and the chimney is suitable for your desired appliance. Our chimney sweep will advise on the necessity of the chimney being lined, remove your unwanted fireplace if you wish,  and carry out a site survey to let you know what appliances will be suitable for your chimney and room. Even after your appliance has been fitted, it is vitally important that your chimney be cleaned at least once a year, possibly more often depending on the type of appliance and fuel used. This is because chimneys, especially in older London houses, can deteriorate quickly, which can result in harmful gases such as Carbon Monoxide entering your home.